Steve Bruce was open and honest in shifting at least some blame towards his Newcastle United players following last night’s draw with Wolves.
What’s the story?
As quoted by The Chronicle, the 60-year-old raised the fact that Jamal Lewis, Martin Dubravka, Joelinton and Matt Ritchie could all have done more to prevent the spoils being shared at St. James’ Park.
Lewis and Dubravka were blamed for their roles in allowing Ruben Neves to head home while Ritchie for criticised for not passing on instructions. Joelinton, meanwhile, should have scored to near enough win the home the side game.
“The instructions Matty didn’t get on to the team quick enough on how we were doing it,” he said.
“When you look at the goal, we should have stopped the cross and when the keeper looks at it, could he have done better?”
“I think he should score. It was a great run by Murphy and it was a big, big chance with, what was it, seven minutes to go? I’ve just seen it back again and it’s a big, huge opportunity that we missed,” he said of Joelinton.
Is he right?
Taking this game in isolation, yes.
All four could have done better and, while that doesn’t necessarily mean Newcastle would have won, there were reasons to feel disappointed with some of their actions.
Still, if Bruce’s side do go down, it won’t be because they drew with Wolves at home. All season, the Toon boss has (rightly) been questioned for his decisions and has often looked out of his depth on the touchline. After all, it’s hard to blame any of these particular players for the fact Bruce has presided over a truly awful run of form, winning only twice in the last fourteen Premier League games.
The Verdict
There were individual mistakes but when the whole season is going so badly that a team not exactly blessed with a huge amount of quality has to rely on them simply not happening, it doesn’t exactly speak to a substantial plan.
Ultimately, if Newcastle United go down, it’ll be because of Steve Bruce as well as the hierarchy above him.
